The British Medical Association (BMA) has revealed plans for resident doctors, previously known as ‘junior’ doctors, to strike later this month. An estimated 26,000 doctors are set to fully walk out from 7am on July 25 to 7am on July 30, which may disrupt more than 200,000 appointments.
With the strike announced just two weeks in advance, many patients could end up back on waiting lists unless NHS chiefs manage to reorganise rotas to cover the shortfall. In his response, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care cautioned that the public might not be as understanding this time.
Mr Streeting said: “While we cannot go further on pay this year, there is so much more we can do together to improve the lives of resident doctors and the wider NHS. In my time as Health and Social Care Secretary, we have made more progress in one year of working together on your concerns than has been made after a series of disputes.
“Strikes now will see the BMA Resident Doctor Committee turn its back on that open door. At a time when the NHS is finally moving in the right direction, strikes also put that recovery at risk. This affects patients.
“I stand ready to meet with you again at your earliest convenience to resolve this dispute without the need for strike action. I would like to once again extend my offer to meet with your entire committee to discuss this.
“Ultimately, we are all public servants. The public won’t see why, after a 28.9% pay rise, you would still walk out on strike, and neither do I.”
Back in 2023, these doctors staged their first five-day walkout in April, resulting in the cancellation of 201,000 appointments, as reported by the Telegraph. A subsequent walkout from June 27 to July 1 last year saw over 60,000 hospital appointments cancelled in England alone.
Patients might have to brace themselves for similar disruptions this time around. However, the BMA has stressed its readiness to return to the negotiation table, stating that “nobody need strike” if an agreement can be reached.
Committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt revealed they met Mr Streeting on Tuesday and “made every attempt to avoid strike action”. They told Sky News: “Unfortunately, the government has stated that it will not negotiate on pay, wanting to focus on non-pay elements without suggesting what these might be.”
The BMA is demanding a 29.2% pay rise, arguing that the previous 5.4% increase did not account for historical pay freezes. According to the union, when inflation is factored in, doctors’ real-term pay has actually declined since 2008.
Mr Streeting pointed out in his remarks that the 5.4% pay rise was “the highest across the public sector” and would necessitate a reshuffle of NHS finances. He also mentioned that, taking into account previous agreements with the BMA, junior doctors have received an average salary increase of 28.9% over the past three years.
He expressed his regret over the decision to strike, emphasising additional initiatives from the DHSC as evidence that “we can make real progress by working together and without the need to take strike action”. Among these initiatives are plans for 1,000 new training positions with a focus on UK medical graduates.
Furthermore, come September, a fresh reporting system will be introduced to “improve safety of patients and your members”. There is also a review underway aimed at making training less intrusive on the personal lives of medical personnel and more beneficial for the NHS overall.